Solidarity

 "Simon's mother in law got up immediately and began waiting on them." Lk 4:39

Many years ago on a trip to Honduras a priest friend who was ministering there told me a story that remains in my heart. Even though they were in grave danger, one community that he accompanied back to Salvador had taken the time to bury their church bell before fleeing their homeland, promising to ring it again when they returned from exile. Imagine their joy, he said, as they watched men from their village exit the buses, dig up the bell, hoist it to the tower and ring it in order to call everyone to a homecoming Eucharist.

How like Simon's mother in law! Cured, home again, she gets up and waits on others.

Today, pray in solidarity with the 40 million refugees in the world, more than 26 million of whom are hungry, sick and exposed to the elements. Pray, too, for those trying to leave Afghanistan. 

What does "home" mean to you? How do you pass on your values to your children?